Leica I Model B Compur

Leica I Model B Compur

The Leica I Model B Compur, often called the Compur Leica or Leica B, is a rare fixed-lens 35mm Leica camera introduced by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar in 1926. It was developed as an alternative to the Leica I Model A and used a Compur between-the-lens shutter instead of Leica’s normal focal-plane shutter.

The camera has a fixed 50mm f/3.5 Leitz Elmar lens mounted in a Compur leaf shutter. It does not use Leica Thread Mount and does not accept interchangeable lenses. For database purposes, the mount should therefore be recorded as none, because the lens and shutter assembly are permanently fitted to the camera.

The Compur Leica was intended to offer shutter speeds that were not available on the early focal-plane Leica I Model A. While the Leica A lacked slow speeds, the Compur Leica offered speeds down to 1 second. The trade-off was slower handling, because film winding and shutter cocking were separate operations.

The camera has a built-in optical viewfinder and no coupled rangefinder. Focusing is done by scale focusing on the lens or with an external accessory rangefinder. It has no built-in exposure meter, no flash synchronization, no self-timer and no battery-dependent functions.

Unlike most early Leica cameras, the Model B does not use a cloth focal-plane shutter. Instead, it uses a Compur leaf shutter mounted between the lens elements. This is the defining mechanical feature of the camera and the reason collectors usually call it the Compur Leica.

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History

Development and Launch

The Leica I Model B Compur was introduced in 1926, shortly after the Leica I Model A entered regular production. Pacific Rim Camera describes it as a new Leica model that lacked the focal-plane shutter of the Leica A and was fitted with a Compur leaf shutter mounted between the lens elements.

The camera was also less expensive than the Leica A. Pacific Rim notes that it cost about one third less than the Leica A, but the lower price did not lead to strong sales because the handling was less convenient.

Dial-Set Compur

The first version is known as the Dial-Set Compur. It is identified by the round shutter-speed dial positioned above the lens. Pacific Rim Camera states that the Dial-Set version was discontinued in 1929 and that only 638 cameras were produced.

Leica Wiki lists the Dial-Set Compur Leica as a 1926–1929 model and gives the same production figure of 638 cameras. This version is generally the earlier and more valuable of the two main Compur Leica forms.

Rim-Set Compur

The later version is known as the Rim-Set Compur. It is identified by shutter speeds set around the rim of the shutter face rather than by a separate dial above the lens. Pacific Rim Camera states that the Rim-Set version was introduced in 1928, overlapped the Dial-Set version in 1928–1929, and was produced in small numbers until 1941.

Leica Wiki lists the Rim-Set Compur Leica as a 1928–1941 model with 1,072 cameras produced. Pacific Rim gives the same total and notes that most production happened between 1928 and 1932, with only a few late examples assembled later.

Production and Serial Numbers

Serial-number information should be handled cautiously because the Compur Leica was produced in small, non-contiguous batches. Leica Wiki lists assigned blocks beginning at 5701–6300 for Dial-Set cameras, followed by later mixed and Rim-Set blocks including 13101–13300, 21479–21810, 34451–34802 and a late group around 50572+.

The safest database wording is 5701 to 50572+, non-contiguous assigned blocks, including Dial-Set and Rim-Set Compur versions. This avoids implying that all serial numbers between those points are Compur Leica cameras.

Relationship to Leica I Model A

The Leica I Model B Compur should be kept separate from the Leica I Model A. Both are fixed-lens cameras, but the Model A uses Leica’s normal focal-plane shutter, while the Model B uses a Compur leaf shutter in the lens.

The Model B also handles differently. On the Compur Leica, advancing the film and cocking the shutter are separate actions, and Pacific Rim Camera notes that there was no double-exposure prevention. This makes the camera mechanically and operationally distinct from the Leica I Model A.

Relationship to Leica I Model C

The Leica I Model B Compur should also be distinguished from the Leica I Model C. The Model C introduced interchangeable lenses and belongs to the screw-mount Leica line. The Model B remains a fixed-lens camera with no interchangeable mount.

For database purposes, the Model C should be stored as LTM or M39, while the Model B Compur should be stored as none.

Identification

The Leica I Model B Compur is identified by its fixed 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens in a Compur shutter, lack of interchangeable lens mount, lack of rangefinder, built-in optical finder and distinctive shutter-speed control.

The Dial-Set version has a round shutter-speed dial above the lens. The Rim-Set version has shutter-speed markings around the outer rim of the shutter face. Both should be treated as variants of the Leica I Model B Compur unless the database intentionally separates them for collector-grade variant tracking.

Common listing names include Leica I Model B Compur, Leica IB Compur, Leica I(b), Compur Leica, Leica B, Leica Compur Dial-Set, Leica Compur Rim-Set and Leica I Mod. B Compur.

Collector Notes

The Leica I Model B Compur is a rare and specialized collector camera. Its appeal comes from its unusual shutter system, low production, early Leica history and the two visually distinct Dial-Set and Rim-Set versions.

Collectors should check the shutter type, shutter-speed control layout, lens engraving, serial number, body finish, viewfinder condition, baseplate, shutter operation and whether the lens and Compur shutter assembly are original to the body.

The Leica I Model B Compur should be treated as a separate fixed-lens film camera because it does not have an interchangeable lens mount and because its Compur leaf shutter makes it mechanically distinct from the Leica I Model A, Leica I Model C and later Leica screw-mount cameras.

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Sources

• [1] Leica Wiki. Compur Leica, model B. https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Compur_Leica_%28model_B%29
• [2] Pacific Rim Camera. Leica B, Compur. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/leicab.htm
• [3] Early Photography. Leica I(b). https://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C329.html
• [4] CollectiBlend. Leitz Leica I Mod B Rädchen-Compur, Dial Set. https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/Leica-I-Mod-B-Radchen-Compur-%28DIAL-SET%29.html
• [5] Leitz Auction. Leica I Mod. B Ring Compur. https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Leica-I-Mod.-B-Ring-Compur/AI-40-40189